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Nathaniel, from nearby Mintlaw, said: 'My mum is doing really well. We were worried when she broke her hip. The doctors said there was no choice but to operate but we were told there were risks for someone of her age.

In the early part of the 20th century Ernest 'Biggie' Shackleton was attempting to reach the South Pole, the Panama Canal started construction and future Poet Laureate John Betjeman had just been born

'Others younger than her had been refused the procedure because their hearts were not strong enough. Obviously hers is.

'She is just waiting for a special bed to be delivered to Bonnyton so that she can go back there.

'If it doesn't arrive before the birthday, we'll be taking a cake with 'Happy 104th birthday' on it into hospital.'

Through the course of their life the ladies have seen artist Picasso produce his finest work, watched as silent film star Charlie Chaplin rose to fame and witnessed DH Lawrence's book Lady Chatterly's Lover scadalise England.

They have also lived through both World Wars, watched men walk on the moon and seen the coronation of our Queen, Elizabeth II.

After the passing of their husbands the sisters helped to look after one-another and as Evelyn's eyesight failed Edith, who puts her longevity down to hard work and a bowl of porridge every morning, started reading the paper to her.

Evelyn married William Middleton and had four children, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Edith married Nathaniel Ritchie and had four children, nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandkids.

Evelyn's daughter Eveline, 83, from Cruden Bay, said: 'My mum and her sister just get on with life. They really are amazing.'

FROM WRIGHT BROTHERS TO THE PANAMA CANAL - A SNAPSHOT OF 1909

King Edward VII, successor to Queen Victoria, is on the throne

The poet laureate is Robert Bridges after taking over from Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Ernest 'Biggie' Shackleton reaches the furthest point ever travelled South, and is knighted upon his return

The first ever Rugby match takes place at Twickenham between Harlequins and Richmond

Concrete starts being poured to construct the Panama Canal

The US Naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii starts being built

Joan of Arc, French revolutionary, is declared a Saint

Wilbur and Orville Wright construct the first US war plane and set up a company to sell aircraft